An confectioners suspicions that his shop assistant was pregnant were confirmed when the body of a dead baby was found amongst her possessions, but she avoided a murder conviction due to doubts over the medical evidence.
In 1853 Hannah Poole worked as an assistant for Mr Roberts who owned confectionery shops in Church Street and Castle Street. When he suspected her of being in the family way she strenuously denied it. On the morning of 1st August Hannah was heard to get up in the night for some time then return to bed. In the morning she got up and left Church Street for Castle Street, but Mr Roberts found evidence in the kitchen that a birth had taken place.
Roberts reported his suspicions to the police and a search of her room found the body of a newborn baby in a box hidden amongst her clothing. Hannah was then arrested at Castle Street, whilst a surgeon examined the body and was of the opinion the baby had been born alive.
Hannah was committed to the assizes for a trial which took place on 18th August. Dr Leather, who carried out the post mortem said that although he could confirm that the child had lived and then died of congestion of the brain and lungs, he could not say to what extent this was due to a deliberate act on the mother's part. Mr Justice Wightman then intervened and stated it was impossible to find Hannah guilty on a capital charge. He directed the jury to find her guilty of concealment of birth and sentenced her to one years imprisonment with hard labour.
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